As a boy my favourite artist was, without doubt, Pauline Baynes. Whilst too young for Tolkien, I loved reading C.S. Lewis and Baynes artwork in those reprint paperbacks took me through a portal into a wonderful new world.

So I purposely sought out this copy of Tom Bombadil which is beautifully illustrated throughout by her.

Baynes was a close friend Of Tolkien and his wife and contributed to a number of his books and subsequent editions. Just as her work in The Chronicles of Narnia showed, she understood the author’s vision of a Middle Earth and how to make that accessible for the readers regardless of age.

Her drawings demonstrated a unique and timeless charm which drew the reader into that very portal the author was describing and this edition of Tom Bombadil is testament to her style.

This is a really nice edition published by Harper Collins from 2024. There is a comprehensive introduction to the book, a chapter on Pauline Baynes and a useful bibliography. One of a number in this reissue series, I have preordered Smith of Wooton Major which is due for release in March 2025. Baynes is also the artist for Tree and Leaf which is due to be reissued by Harper Collins in July 2025.

I hope you enjoy these as much as I do..

See also: The Hobbit 50th Anniversary Edition